Preview | Millwall v Colchester United

Millwall are back in Sky Bet League One action this Saturday when Colchester United visit The Den (3pm).

The Lions have gone without a League fixture for three weeks but have won Cup games against AFC Fylde and Plymouth Argyle since October's draw with Bradford City in SE16.

This weekend Neil Harris will be looking for his side to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games against Tony Humes' U's, who are 17th in League One and five points behind Millwall having played a game more.

Colchester go into Saturday's game on the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Coventry City last week and have also lost their last three away matches in League One, conceding 11 goals in the process.

What the managers say

Neil Harris: "We have taken huge strides since the early part of the season, especially at The Den. We are getting better all the time and that comes from the desire of the players and, importantly, the support of the fans.

"What has been clear during our last few outings at home is the enjoyment of the players, the smiles on their faces and the real determination to win which they have shown.

"There has been a real feel-good factor in the stadium again and the only way that continues is if we keep improving, performing as we have done and reaching the standards that have been set."

Tony Humes: "Like any other game it is going to be a tough one and we know that. We have got to go in there with that positive attitude and know we are going to be in a very competitive game against some experienced, quality players.

"If we play to our utmost then we will give them a game and that is what we are aiming for. It's no different than when we went to Sheffield United and Swindon earlier in the season and we have to go with that mindset."

Hear more from Humes by clicking here.

Team news

Harris has told Lions PlayerHD that Carlos Edwards (hamstring) is unlikely to recover in time for the game but did also insist that the right-back will be assessed before the weekend.

U's boss Humes has confirmed that former Lions loanee Owen Garvan will not be fit to play, though Richard Brindley has returned to training and could be in contention for a place in the squad.

Gavin Massey returned to action last week and will be pushing for a starting berth.

Head-to-head

Saturday's game at The Den will be the 47th meeting between Millwall and Colchester United in all competitions.

It is The Lions who hold superiority in the head-to-head record, winning 23 of those games compared to 13 for the Essex club.

The most recent meeting was back in April 2010 when Millwall came away from The Weston Homes Community Stadium with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Steve Morison and Danny Batth (OG).

The last time the two sides faced one another at The Den was in October of that same season and it ended in the same result - 2-1 to Millwall - with Alan Dunne and James Henry on the scoresheet for The Lions that day.

Coverage

Unable to make it to The Den this Saturday? Fear not as you can still keep up-to-date with every kick, header and tackle thanks to full match commentary on Lions PlayerHD. Tune in here.

You can also follow the action with regular updates via @MillwallFC, the club's official Twitter account.

Betting

Sky Bet have placed Millwall at 4/5 favourites for Saturday's game, while Colchester are available at 16/5 to earn all three points in SE16. The draw is 14/5.

Lions striker Lee Gregory is 4/1 favourite to net the first goal, with fellow forwards Steve Morison and Aiden O'Brien both available at 9/2 to do the same.

Lions fans will be treated to a unique performance from the Ohio Northern University Marching Band before kick-off on Saturday.

The band, who are very special guests of the club this weekend, will put on what promises to be an unmissable performance from around 2.40pm so please do take to your seats early.

Minute's silence

As a show of support to those affected by the tragic events in Paris last Friday there will be a minute's silence before kick-off at The Den.

Nick Alexander, from Colchester, the home of Saturday's opponents, was one of those who tragically lost their lives and as well as the minute's silence, both sets of players will be wearing black armbands.